Windmere I

After a week of training at Starcrest Academy, all Starcrest and Mythos students were assigned missions of varying difficulty.

I ended up grouped with Cecilia and Ava Peng—a formidable trio of Integration-rankers.

The mission we were given was usually reserved for top 6-star adventurer teams.

"Serial murders in a small town, hmm?" I murmured as the three of us sped toward our destination in a self-driving car.

"It's a small town," Ava said, tucking a stray lock of black hair behind her ear, "with the mayor as the strongest among them, and he's only a White-ranker. But a 6-star adventurer took on this mission and... didn't survive."

The Eastern Continent wasn't unified under one government. Instead, it was ruled by a patchwork of families and sects, so adventurers were crucial to tackling dangerous assignments like these. Even academies sent their students on missions for experience.

"Quite a challenge, then," I said, considering the risk. A 6-star adventurer would've been an Integration-ranker, strong by any standard.

"So, an annoying mission," Cecilia muttered. She had only recently reached Integration-rank herself and was adjusting to her new level of power.

"Well, people's lives are at stake," Ava replied. "It's a small town, but many have died."

"Why hide?" I wondered aloud. "He could just massacre them outright."

"Maybe he's wary of drawing attention," Cecilia suggested. "He might not want a major family coming after him."

Ascendant-rankers were far fewer than Integration-rankers, a precious resource even for the powerful families. They only moved when there was real danger, and this town didn't have a major family backing it.

"Well, we'll see soon enough," I said as the car pulled to a halt, dropping us at the town's edge.

Getting in was easy. The guards' hands shook as they checked our IDs, realizing Cecilia was the Slatemark Empire's princess and Ava hailed from the Peng family.

"The town feels... eerie," I murmured as we stepped into a dim sum shop.

"Dreadful, yes," Cecilia agreed, slipping her arm through mine.

Ava stayed silent, her dark eyes narrowed as she scanned our surroundings, taking in every detail.

"So, what's the plan?" Cecilia asked as we started on our lunch.

"If you looked over the data, there's a clear pattern in the victims," I replied, pulling out my phone to show them the visualization.

"All men, and particularly those of lower social standing," Ava observed as she glanced over the information.

"According to the last reports sent by the adventurer before his... demise, he thought the murderer was picking victims through a local gambling den," I explained.

"But that's off," Cecilia cut in, her gaze sharp.

I nodded. "Right. He was thinking too traditionally. It's not the gambling dens—it's the brothels."

Ava's expression twisted in distaste at my words.

"How do you know that?" Ava asked, eyes narrowing.

"Because the Eastern Continent is conservative—especially in rural areas," I replied. "Did you notice how the men were looking at you both? It's not only because of your beauty but also the modern, less restrictive clothes you're wearing. Despite being from the East, Ava, you're from the Peng family, which has a more progressive outlook."

"So, it's lust, then," Cecilia murmured, leaning close to whisper, "Do you also like these... freeing clothes?"

I blinked, choosing not to respond to her teasing. "Anyway, women here dress conservatively, bound by tradition. But now, with modern technology and a phone in every pocket, there's access to a whole other world. Someone's exploiting the clash between conservative norms and modern desires to run a brothel—and a killer is using it to choose his victims."

"That seems strange," Ava said, uncertain. "Are men really like that?"

"They can be," I nodded. "Especially in places where people are kept under strict ideologies. With the right manipulation, someone could exploit those frustrations for personal gain. But I think there's more going on here than meets the eye… something deeper we're not yet seeing."

"I think so too," Cecilia agreed. "Conservative clothing alone wouldn't drive men to that extreme."

"Should we start questioning the townspeople, then?" Ava suggested.

"We could, but we likely won't find much," I replied. "We did get an invitation from the mayor, didn't we? Let's pay him a visit."

After finishing lunch, we spent the afternoon questioning the locals. Each inquiry led to the same response—no matter the question, they found a way to praise the mayor. He was "a pillar of strength," "the kindest man," "a true protector of the town." Even when our questions had little to do with him, they seemed compelled to mention his virtues. It was almost uncanny.

By the time the sun dipped below the horizon, we'd uncovered little of value, and it was finally time for our dinner with the mayor.

As we made our way through the winding streets toward the mayor's manor, the scenery shifted. The modest, cramped buildings of the town gave way to a sprawling estate, marked off by an ornate iron gate that gleamed under the setting sun. The manor itself was a surprising sight—a grand, two-story structure with tall windows and polished stone walls, surrounded by well-tended gardens and flowering hedges, all neatly trimmed and perfectly in place. It was as if we'd stepped out of the humble village and into the home of a lord.

Ava raised an eyebrow. "This... doesn't quite fit with the town, does it?"

"No, it doesn't," I replied, eyeing the lavish structure. Compared to the quaint homes we'd seen all day, the manor felt almost opulent, its architecture more suited to a wealthy noble than a small-town mayor.

The path leading to the entrance was lined with finely carved statues, each depicting mythical beasts of the Eastern Continent, and lit by lanterns of polished bronze. The front doors, towering and embellished with intricate carvings, stood open, with servants waiting on either side to welcome us in.

As we entered, the interior proved even grander. The floors were of polished marble, reflecting the soft glow of chandeliers hanging above, while tapestries and paintings adorned the walls, depicting grand battles and serene landscapes. The air was thick with the scent of incense, mingling with the faint hint of polished wood and fresh flowers.

"This is... unexpected," Cecilia murmured, her gaze roaming over the luxurious surroundings. "A bit extravagant for a mayor, don't you think?"

"Yes," I replied, equally intrigued. "There's wealth here—far more than one would expect."

A servant appeared, bowing deeply. "The mayor will receive you shortly. Please, make yourselves comfortable in the drawing room."

We exchanged glances as we were led into a lavish drawing room, its walls lined with bookshelves and filled with plush seating. There was something about this place that felt off—like a polished mask hiding something much darker.